“Yes, the season he arrived here, he showed a lot of faith in me from the start. You could even say that he gave me the freedom to play and enjoy my football, and to have an open line of communication with him.

“It’s been like that for the year and a half that we’ve been working together. I’d like to thank him for all his kind words during that period.”

Valencia, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, should again captain United in Wednesday night’s Champions League group match against Basel.

The Red Devils will continue their Premier League campaign with a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.